VinFast debuts right-hand drive electric vehicles in Indonesia

VinFast, the electric vehicle (EV) arm of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, debut its first range of right-hand drive electric vehicles (EV) at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2024 on Thursday.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo attended the event and autographed the VinFast VF 5 showcased there. The official launch of VinFast EV in the Indonesia market at the show signifies VinFast’s next step in global expansion and its dedication to fostering sustainable transportation locally and globally.

At the IIMS 2024, VinFast presented its VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, VF 7, VF 8, and VF 9 models, providing sustainable transportation offerings to Indonesian consumers. VF 5, VF e34, VF 6, and VF 7 are slated to become VinFast's first EV models for launch in Indonesia. Indonesia is the first country that VinFast has introduced its right-hand drive electric vehicles.

To ensure convenient charging, VinFast will cooperate with local suppliers to establish a nationwide charging network, enabling seamless electric mobility for Indonesian customers and boosting sustainable transportation adoption in the market.

In September 2023, the Vietnamese EV maker said it plans to invest at least $1.2 billion in Indonesia in the long-term. Apart from distributing imported cars from Vietnam in the first phase, VinFast said it plans to build a $200-million EV factory in the country with an expected annual capacity of 30,000-50,000 vehicles.

In January, during a Vietnam-Indonesia high-level business dialogue, Indonesian President Widodo urged VinFast to expand its investment in the EV field and visited the VinFast electric vehicle manufacturing complex in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

VinFast expects sales of 40,000-50,000 units by year-end, chairwoman Le Thi Thu Thuy said. For VinFast in 2024 and 2025, Vietnam will remain an important market, but gradually other markets will start taking off, Thuy said. In particular, for the ASEAN market, Indonesia is a special market and the number will increase significantly when VinFast starts exporting right-handed drive vehicles there, she added.